U.S. patent number 5,443,400 [Application Number 08/137,347] was granted by the patent office on 1995-08-22 for multiple outlet receptacle and metal stamping therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Heyco Stamped Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Donald C. Brown, Suzanne V. Hickey.
United States Patent |
5,443,400 |
Brown , et al. |
August 22, 1995 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Multiple outlet receptacle and metal stamping therefor
Abstract
A multi-station stamped metal conductor in a multi-outlet
receptacle enables the simplified molding of the receptacle with
less parts and wire connections. The conductor has articulated
stations coinciding with the individual outlets, each station
having a female receptacle with an appropriate pin or blade
opening. The conductors are easily held in position for molding of
the receptacle. Each conductor requires only a single crimped
conductor wire serving all of the stations. The molding may be done
without change to prior art molds.
Inventors: |
Brown; Donald C. (Freehold,
NJ), Hickey; Suzanne V. (Brick, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Heyco Stamped Products, Inc.
(Toms River, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
22476994 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/137,347 |
Filed: |
October 18, 1993 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/650;
439/652 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
25/003 (20130101); H01R 43/24 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
25/00 (20060101); H01R 43/24 (20060101); H01R
43/20 (20060101); H01R 025/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;439/709-715,638-655,877,92,108 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pirlot; David L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Auslander & Thomas
Claims
Having described certain forms of the invention in some detail,
what is claimed is:
1. A unitary multi-outlet receptacle for male plugs, said
receptacle including two substantially, flat parallel sides; and
including at least two outlets, each said outlet including a face;
said faces in flat array and at a substantially a right angle to
said parallel sides; and radially aligned having a substantially
common radius with regard to each other, each said outlet including
at least two female openings for male contacts from a male plug,
said receptacle including at least two unitary multi-station
stamped metal conductors, each said conductor; being substantially
planar; and having a spine said spine including a crimp end; and at
least one said station for each said outlet, each said station
including a female contact receptacle, said stations radially
aligned and having a substantially common radius with regard to
each other, said female contact receptacle at each station oriented
to access one said opening in one said outlet, and at least two
conductor wires; one conductor wire each for said conductors, each
said conductor wire crimped to one said crimp end.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said female contact receptacles
are substantially evenly spaced from each other along said
spine.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said female contact receptacles
on at least one said conductor are receivers to accept blade
contacts.
4. The invention of claim 1 including at least three conductors
wherein said female contact receptacles on one said at least three
conductors are receptacles to accept ground
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said female contact receptacles
on at least one said conductor is offset from said spine.
6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said spine on at least one of
said conductors includes an integral reenforcing ridge.
7. The invention of claim i wherein said crimp end on at least one
of said conductors is offset from said spine.
8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said spine on at least one said
conductor includes at least one arm.
9. The invention of claim 1 wherein at least one said face in said
outlet includes more than three openings.
10. The invention of claim 1 including more than three said outlets
in said receptacle and wherein at least one said conductor includes
more than three stations.
11. The invention of claim 1 including at least one spacer, said at
least two conductors separated by said at least one spacer.
12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said female contact
receptacles include openings.
13. The invention of claim 12 including three conductors wherein
said openings in said female contact receptacles of two of said
conductors are receivers to accept blade contacts.
14. The invention of claim 12 including three conductors wherein
said openings in said female contact receptacles of one said
conductor are receivers to accept ground pin contacts.
15. The invention of claim 12, wherein said openings on said female
contact receptacles on at least one said conductor are on a
substantially horizontal plane with regard to said spine.
16. The invention of claim 12 wherein said openings on said female
contact receptacles on at least one said conductor extend at a
right angle to said spine.
17. The invention of claim 1 wherein at least one said outlet in
said receptacle includes more than two openings.
18. The invention of claim 17 wherein at least one said outlet
includes a ground pin contact opening.
19. The invention of claim 18 including at least three conductors
wherein at least one said female contact receptacle on at least one
said at least three conductors is a receptacle to receive a ground
pin contact, said receptacle accessable to said outlet ground pin
contact opening.
20. The invention of claim 19 wherein said female contact
receptacles include openings.
21. The invention of claim 20 wherein at least one said opening in
said female contact receptacles of two of said conductors is a
receiver to a accept a blade contact.
22. The invention of claim 21 wherein at least one said opening in
said female contact receptacles of one said conductor is a receiver
to accept a ground pin contact.
23. The invention of claim 22 wherein at least two said outlet
openings in said faces are at a right angle to said parallel sides
of said receptacle with said ground pin opening of said outlets
centered therebetween and spaced away, at least two said openings
in said female contact receptacles of two of said conductors are
receivers to accept a blade contact, and each said female contact
receptacle is accessable to a respective outlet opening.
24. The invention of claim 22 wherein at least two said outlet
openings in said at least two outlets are parallel to said parallel
sides of said receptacle with said ground pin opening of said
outlets centered therebetween and spaced away, at least two said
openings in said female contact receptacles of two of said
conductors are receivers to accept a blade contact, and each said
female contact receptacle is accessable to a respective outlet
opening.
25. A unitary multi-station stamped metal female conductor for a
multi-outlet receptacle, said female conductor being substantially
planar; and having a spine, said spine including a crimp end; and
at least one said station for each said outlet, each said station
including a female contact receptacle, said stations radially
aligned and having a substantially common radius with regard to
each other.
26. The invention of claim 25 wherein said female contacts are
substantially evenly spaced from each other along said spine.
27. The invention of claim 25 wherein said female contact
receptacles on at least one said conductor are receivers to accept
blade contacts.
28. The invention of claim 25 wherein said female contact
receptacles on are receptacles to receive ground pin contacts.
29. The invention of claim 25 wherein at least one said female
contact receptacle is offset from said spine.
30. The invention of claim 25 wherein said spine includes an
integral reenforcing ridge.
31. The invention of claim 25 wherein said crimp end is offset from
said spine.
32. The invention of claim 25 wherein said spine includes at least
one arm.
33. The invention of claim 25 wherein said conductor includes more
than three stations.
34. The invention of claim 25 wherein said female contact
receptacles include openings.
35. The invention of claim 34 wherein said openings are receivers
to accept blade contacts.
36. The invention of claim 34 wherein said openings are receivers
to accept ground pin contacts.
37. The invention of claim 34 wherein said openings are on a
horizontal plane.
38. The invention of claim 34 wherein said are openings at a right
angle to said spine.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a novel multiple outlet receptacle, some
times referred to as a tee tap, particularly for a heavy duty
electrical cable.
Multiple outlet receptacles for the plugging in of electricity for
machinery in a factory for a wall outlet for the plugging in of
power tools generally, have heavy duty electrical cable. Such
multiple outlet receptacles generally have a flat array of
polarized outlets for the male plugs in a single head, The
connector plugs usually have a round or "U" shaped ground pin and
blades. Each outlet usually has an opening to accept a round or "U"
shaped ground pin and polarized openings for the blades, There are
usually three outlets on each receptacle.
The prior art multiple outlet flat receptacle with three sets of
outlets generally included nine female contacts and nine wire
connections, three each, to each outlet.
Assembly of the receptacle required the connecting of nine wires to
the nine female contacts, as well as the complexity of maintaining
all parts together with load bars, during the molding process. The
molding of the receptacle of the present invention can be done
without changing prior art molds and load bars.
The manufacture of the prior art receptacle also required
substantial labor, to get all the nine wires and pieces together
for the molding of the receptacle even if the wires were
automatically machine crimped to the contacts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Annexed hereto is Form PTO-1449 and copies of the patents and prior
art cited therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,039 discloses a multi-opening electrical
connector with separately acting contacts, molded and stamped, with
multiple male and female connections.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,868 and 4,188,715 disclose a stamped and molded
electrical connector with multiple connections and variously
configured female and male contacts individually acting in a molded
multi-opening receptacle, with individual wire connections for each
female contact in the multiple plug. The contacts are press
fit.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,668,615 discloses a receptacle for multiple male
pins, each individually connected to a lead wire. The pins are
crimped to conductors in a automated operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,993 discloses a connector system for different
types of male and female contacts were the contacts are in a
simplified on piece round configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,546.542 discloses a stamped and molded electrical
connector with multiple tine female contacts and male contacts
individually acting in a molded multi-opening receptacle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,596 discloses an assembly system for assembling
multiple female contacts and multiple male contacts on a printed
circuit board.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,402 discloses an assembly for assembling
multiple female contacts where a conductor is accessable from more
than one opening.
Japanese Patent No. 3-29221 discloses a single contact with
multiple male contacts for a plug..
It is respectfully requested that this citation of art be made of
record with regard to the Within application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a molded receptacle for a heavy duty
electrical cable for male plugs. The connector plugs have a round
or "U" shaped ground pin and blades. The outlets each have openings
to accommodate the ground pin and blades.
A basic advantage of the present invention is the speed and economy
of assembly and molding of the receptacle and outlets, with all the
conductors connected and in place.
The prior art provided individual connections to each conductor. It
was complicated and complex to mold with the concomitant additional
labor and part cost.
The present invention provides modular articulated multi-station
conductors. Thus, for each receptacle, only two type contact sets
are required, a multi-station conductor for round or "U" shaped
ground pins and two multi-station conductors for the other blades
of the plug.
According to the present invention, a multi-outlet receptacle with
at least two outlets in flat array, and articulated with regard to
each other, has openings for male contacts on a plug. The
receptacle has at least two unitary multi-station stamped metal
conductors, each conductor having at least two stations. There is
one station for each outlet. The conductor has a spine, female
contact receptacles, one contact receptacle for each station and a
conductor wire crimp end. The spine has one articulation between
stations. The stations are oriented toward the outlets. The female
contact receptacle is oriented to access one opening in one outlet.
There is one conductor wire for each conductor. The conductors
wires are crimped to the conductor's wire crimp end.
The female contact receptacles may be substantially evenly spaced
from each other along spines and are receivers to accept blade
contacts. When there are three conductors, the female contact
receptacles on one of the three conductor may have receptacles, to
accept round or "U" shaped pin contacts.
The female contact receptacles may include openings. When there are
three conductors the openings in the female contact receptacles of
two of the conductors are receivers to accept blade contacts. When
there are three conductors, openings in female contact receptacles,
of one conductor, are receivers to accept round or "U" shaped pin
contacts.
The openings on the female contact receptacles on a conductor may
be on a horizontal plane or even extending at a right angle to the
spine.
The female contact receptacles on a conductor may be offset from
the spine and may have an integral reenforcing ridge. The conductor
wire crimp end on a conductor may be eccentric on the spine. The
spine may include an arm.
An outlet in the receptacle may include more than two openings, the
third being a round or "U" shaped pin contact opening. When there
are three conductors, the female contact receptacles on one of the
three conductors usually is a receptacle to receive a round or "U"
shaped pin contact, the receptacle is accessable to the outlet
ground pin contact opening and the female contact receptacle
openings are receivers to accept blade contacts.
The outlet openings in the outlets may be at a right angle to the
flat array of outlets with the ground pin opening of the outlets
centered and openings in the female contact receptacles receiver
blade contacts. The female contact receptacle matches the
respective outlet opening.
The outlet openings in the outlets may be parallel to the flat
array of outlets with the ground pin opening of the outlets
centered and openings in the female contact receptacles receiver
blade contacts. The female contact receptacle matches the
respective outlet opening.
The outlets may have more than three openings, and there may be
more than three outlets in a receptacle and the conductors may have
more than three stations.
The conductors may be separated and held by a spacer.
The conductor has at least two stations. There is one station for
each outlet. The conductor has a spine, female contact receptacles,
one contact receptacle for each station and a conductor wire crimp
end. The spine has one articulation between stations. The stations
are oriented toward outlets. The female contact receptacle is
oriented to access one opening in one outlet.
The female contact receptacles may be substantially evenly spaced
from each other along spines and are receivers to accept blade
contacts. The female contact receptacles may have receptacles to
accept round pin contacts.
The female contact receptacles may include openings. The openings
in the female contact receptacles are receivers to accept blade
contacts. There are openings in female contact receptacles of
conductors which are receivers to accept round pin contacts.
The openings on the female contact receptacles on a conductor may
be on a horizontal plane, or even extending at a right angle to the
spine.
The female contact receptacles on a conductor may be offset from
the spine and may have an integral reenforcing ridge. The conductor
wire crimp end on a conductor may be eccentric on the spine. The
spine may include an arm.
The conductor may have more than three stations.
Although such novel feature or features believed to be
characteristic of the invention are pointed out in the claims, the
invention and the manner in which it may be carried, may be further
understood by reference to the description following and the
accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the molded receptacle of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of FIG. 1, showing three polarized
outlets.
FIG. 3 is top plan view of FIG. 1, showing the receptacle, in
phantom, with one type of articulated multi-station female ground
pin contact, cut away, crimped to a conductor wire.
FIG. 4 is a front elevation of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is phantom top plan view of FIG. 1, showing a first of one
type articulated multi-station female blade contact crimped to a
conductor.
FIG. 6 is a front elevation of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is phantom top plan view of FIG. 1, showing a second
articulated multi-station female blade contact of the type shown in
FIG. 5 crimped to a conductor.
FIG. 8 is a front elevation of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a cut away side view of FIG. 3 showing a section through
the female ground pin contact.
FIG. 10 is a cut away side view of FIG. 5 showing a section through
showing the first female blade contact.
FIG. 11 is a cut away side view of FIG. 7 showing a section through
showing the second female blade contact.
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of spacer for the female blade contacts
shown in FIGS. 5-8, 10 and 11.
FIG. 13 is a front elevation of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a side elevation of FIG. 12.
FIG. 15 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the female
blade contact shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 16 is a side elevation of FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is a front elevation of FIG. 15.
FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the blade contact
shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 19 is a side elevation of FIG. 18.
FIG. 20 is a front elevation of FIG. 18.
FIG. 21 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the female
blade contact.
FIG. 22 is a side elevation of FIG. 21.
FIG. 23 is a front elevation of FIG. 21.
FIG. 24 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the female
blade contact.
FIG. 25 is a side elevation of FIG. 24.
FIG. 26 is a front elevation of FIG. 24.
FIG. 27 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the female
blade contact shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 28 is a side elevation of FIG. 27.
FIG. 29 is a front elevation of FIG. 27.
FIG. 30 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the female
ground pin contact shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 31 is a side elevation of FIG. 30.
FIG. 32 is a front elevation of FIG. 30.
FIG. 33 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the female pin
contact shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 34 is a side elevation of FIG. 33.
FIG. 35 is a front elevation of FIG. 33.
FIG. 36 is top plan view of another embodiment of the receptacle,
in phantom, showing a horizontal outlet configuration with a
central ground pin opening.
FIG. 37 is a front elevation of FIG. 36.
Referring now to the figures in greater detail, where like
reference numbers denote like parts in the various figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows the multiple outlet receptacle 10. The multiple outlet
receptacle 10 has a cable 11 with three insulated conductor wires
12 and a head 13.
As can be seen in FIG. 2, there are three outlets 14 in the head 13
of the receptacle 10. Each outlet 14 has a ground pin opening 15, a
first polarized blade opening 16 and a second polarized blade
opening 17. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the multiple outlet
receptacle 10 includes a multi-station stamped metal conductor 20
in the head 13. The conductor 20 has a spine 21, from which extends
a conductor wire crimp end 22. The conductor 20 has a first station
33, a second station 34 and a third station 35. Each station 33-35
has a female contact receptacle 26 for a round or "U" shaped pin
and an opening 27 to accept a round or "U" shaped pin. In FIGS. 5
and 6, the stamped metal conductor 30 has a spine 31, a first
station 33, a second station 34, a third station 35 and a female
contact receptacle 36. Each female contact receptacle 36 has an
opening 37 for blade contacts. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the spine
31 of the stamped metal conductor 30 is engaged in a female contact
receptacle slot 42 in the spacer 40. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
stamped metal conductor 30 is inverted, in the head 13 of the
receptacle 10, crimped to the insulated conductor wire 12 at the
conductor wire crimp end 22. As shown in FIG. 8, the spine 31 of
the stamped metal conductor 30 is engaged in female contact
receptacle slot 42 in the spacer 40.
FIG. 9 is a detail side section through the conductor 20, showing
the conductor 20, crimped with the crimp end 22, crimped to the
insulated conductor wire 12.
FIG. 10 is a detail side section through the conductor 30, in a
spacer 40 and crimped with the crimp end 22, crimped to the
insulated conductor wire 12.
FIG. 11 is a detail side section of the inverted conductor 30, in a
spacer 40 and crimped with crimp end 22, crimped to the insulated
conductor wire 12, as shown in FIG. 8.
FIGS. 12 and 13 shows the spacer 40 with the female contact
receptacle opening 41 and female contact receptacle slots 42. As
shown in FIG. 14, there are spine slots 43. The spacer 40 may also
have cutaways 44.
FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 shows the conductor 50 which is another
embodiment of the conductor 30. The conductor 50 has a spine 31 and
stations 33, 34 and 35 and a female contact receptacles 36, each
with openings 37 for blade contacts. The conductor 50 includes an
offset 54 between the spine 31 and the female contact receptacle
36.
FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 show details of the conductor 30, shown in
FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11.
FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 show another conductor 55 with a crimp end 22,
a spine 56 with stations 33, 34 and 35, female contact receptacles
57 and openings 58 to accept a contact blades. The conductor 55 has
a rigidizing ridge 59.
FIGS. 24, 25 and 26 show a conductor 60 which is another embodiment
of the conductor 55. The conductor 60 has a a crimp end 22, a spine
56 with stations 33, 34 and 35, female contact receptacles 63 and
openings 64 to accept blade contacts. The conductor 60 has a
rigidizing ridge 59.
FIGS. 27, 28 and 29 show another conductor 65. The conductor 65 has
a spine 66, stations 33, 34 and 35 and a female contact receptacles
67, each with openings 68 to accept blade contacts. The female
contact receptacles 67 a right angle from the spine 66 at a bend
69.
FIGS. 30, 31, 32 show another conductor 70 with a crimp end 22, a
spine 56 with stations 33, 34 and 35, female contact receptacles
72, openings 73 to accept a round or "U" shaped pin and a
rigidizing ridge 59.
FIGS. 33, 34 and 35 show a conductor 75 which is another embodiment
of the conductor 60. The conductor 75 has a a crimp end 22, a spine
56 with stations 33, 34 and 35, female contact receptacles 76 and
openings 77 to accept or receive a round or "U" shaped pin and a
rigidizing ridge 59.
As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the multiple outlet receptacle 110
includes two multi-station stamped metal conductors 60 in the head
13 and a conductor 75 spaced in between. FIG. 36 shows the multiple
outlet receptacle 110. The multiple outlet receptacle 110 has a
cable 11 with three insulated conductor wires 12 and a head 13.
As can be seen in FIG. 37, there are three outlets 114 in the head
13 of the receptacle 110. Each outlet 114 has a ground pin opening
115 centered in the middle of the head 13, a first polarized blade
opening 116 horizontal to the head 13 and a second polarized blade
opening 117 horizontal to the head. The conductor 60 are parallel
to each other sandwiching the conductor 75 so that the opening 77
is offset centered in the outlet 114. Each of the crimp ends 22 is
crimped to an insulated conductor wire 12.
OPERATION
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 11, a multiple outlet receptacle 10 has
three outlets 14 in flat array in the head 13. The outlets 14 are
preferably polarized with a ground pin opening 15, a first
polarized blade opening 16 and a second polarized blade opening 17.
The first polarized blade opening 16 and second polarized blade
opening 17 are at a right angle to the flat array, with the ground
pin opening 15 centered and at the top of the array.
The multiple outlet receptacle 10 is preferably molded in plastic
and includes a heavy duty cable 11 with three insulated conductor
wires 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 a multi-station stamped metal
conductor 20 is molded into the head 13 with one of the insulated
conductor wires 12 crimped to the conductor wire crimp end 22 of
the conductor 20.
The conductor 20 has a spine 21 and three female contact
receptacles 26 integral to the spine 21, on a first station 33,
second station 34 and third station 35. The female contact
receptacles 26 each include an opening 27 to accept a round or "U"
shaped pin.
The stations 33 through 35 are articulated to address the outlets
14 so that the ground pin and blade contacts of a plug (not shown)
may enter the outlet 14 openings 15 through 17 and engage the
various female contact receptacle openings.
A single insulated conductor wire 12 crimped to the crimp end 22 of
the conductor 20 serves three stations 33 through 35 replacing the
prior art individual contacts with multiple crimped wires.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, another insulated conductor wire 12 is
crimped to a conductor 30 with stations 33 through 35 on an
articulated spine 31. Each station has a female contact receptacle
36 including a opening 37 for blade contacts. The stations 33
through 35 are articulated to address the outlets 14 so that the
blade contacts of a plug (not shown) may enter the outlet 14
openings 16 through 17 and engage the female contact receptacle
openings 37.
A single insulated conductor wire 12 crimped to the crimp end 22 of
the conductor 30 serves three stations 33 through 35 replacing the
prior art individual contacts with multiple crimped wires.
In FIGS. 7 and 8, another insulated conductor wire 12 is crimped to
an inverted conductor 30 with stations 33 through 35 on an
articulated spine 31. As can be seen in FIG. 6 through 11 the
spines 31 of the stamped metal conductors 30 are engaged in spine
slots 43 in the spacer 40.
The spacer 40 is an aid that can be used in the preparation of the
multiple outlet receptacle 10 particularly where the spines 31 and
the female contact receptacles 36 are flat and the openings 37 for
blade contacts are on a plane.
In the molding process for a receptacle 10, such as shown in FIGS.
1 through 11, a conductor 20 with a female contact receptacle 26
having openings 27 to accept a round or "U" shaped pin is crimped
to an insulated conductor wire 12, as shown in FIG. 3. Two
conductors 30 have their crimp ends 22 to other conductor wires 12.
As can be seen in FIGS. 5 through 11, one conductor 30 is inverted,
as shown in FIG. 5.
During the molding process, load bars or plugs, (not shown)
equivalent to "D" shaped pins and flat blades, are loaded into the
mold. The openings 27 engage the load bar equivalent of pins and
the openings 37 engage the load bar equivalent blades. The load
bars and the mold shape the openings 15, 16 and 17, which define
the outlets 14.
Since the openings 37 grasp blades or load bars, primarily at two
points, one on each side of the width of the blade, it can be seen
that the conductor 20 might slide on the blades, or even slide off
the blades, before molding.
Thus, in the embodiment of the receptacles 10, shown in FIGS. 1
through 11, the conductors 30 are engaged in the spacer 40, as a
precaution. One female contact receptacle 36 of each conductor 30
is pushed through one of the slots 42 in the spacer 40 and extends
through the opening 41 for a female contact receptacle 36. Spines
31 are engaged in the spine slots 43 of the spacer 40.
The openings 41 cradles the female contact receptacles 36 without
covering the blade openings 37. The the female contact receptacle
opening 41, in the molding process provides a full opening in the
outlet 14 in the multiple outlet receptacle 10 up to the depth of
the opening 37. A contact blade has full access to the opening
37.
As shown in the figures, the spines 31 are held and molded,
separated and insulated against shorting, and the female contact
receptacles 36 are positioned to an outlet to receive the polarized
contact blades of a conventional plug.
While molding can be done without the spacer 40, the spacer 40 does
prevent any unwanted sliding of the conductor 30 on the load bar
before it is molded.
The load bar for the opening 27 in the female contact receptacle 26
holds the conductor 20 spaced away from the conductors 30. There is
no risk of sliding in the pin to contact relationship with the load
bar when the opening 27 to accept a "D" shaped pin has a load bar
pin engaged, thus, the conductor 20 is firmly held and spaced for
the purpose of molding.
The cutaway 44 in the spacer 40 allows extra space for the
extension of the conductor wire 12 if it extends beyond the crimp
22.
The conductor 50, as shown in FIGS. 15 through 17, is substantially
identical in look and application with the conductor 30, with the
exception that the female contact receptacle 36 has an offset 54
from the spine 31. The offset 54 just repositions the female
contact receptacle 36 within the polarized openings 16 and 17 of
the outlet 14. The conductors 30 and 50 engage contact blades in
outlets where the "D" shaped pin opening 15 is centered between the
polarized blade openings 16, 17, with the opening configuration at
a right angle to the array of outlets 14 as shown in FIGS. 1
through 11.
The conductor 55, as shown in FIGS. 21 through 23, is another
embodiment of conductor, with female contact receptacles 57 adapted
to receive blades in an outlet 14 which includes a ground pin
opening 15 centered with the openings 16, 17 at a right angle to
the array of outlets 14.
The conductor 70 as shown in FIGS. 21 through 23 is another
embodiment of conductor for a ground pin, usable where outlets 14
are as shown in FIGS. 1 through 11.
The openings 37 and 57, it should be noted, are adapted to receive
various widths of contact blades.
The conductor 60, as shown in FIGS. 24 through 26, has a female
contact receptacle 63 with an opening 64 to accept a blade contact.
The receptacle 63 is substantially parallel to the spine 56. The
opening 64 is in the form of a stamped metal pocket.
The conductor 75, as shown in FIGS. 33 through 35, has female
contact receptacles 76, similar to the contact receptacles 63,
except that the opening 77 is stamped to receive a round or "U"
shaped pin.
As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, two conductors 60 are spaced in a
multi-outlet receptacle 110, with outlets 114 aligned, so that the
polarized blade openings 116, 117 are parallel to the array of the
outlets 114 and with a ground pin opening 115 between and space
away.
The conductor 65, in FIGS. 27 through 29, is similar to the
conductors 30 in FIGS. 17 through 19 and FIGS. 15 through 17, with
the exception that the female contact receptacle 67 off the spine
66, has a bend 69. The openings 68, thus, are adaptable to the
outlet 114, where the polarized blade openings 116 and 117 are
parallel to the array of outlets 114.
The articulation of the spines 31, 56 and 66 provide stations for
the spaced ground pin openings 15, 115 and polarized blade openings
16, 116, 17, 117, so that multiple outlets 14 and 114 can receive
conventional ground pin plugs, either with their blades parallel in
the outlets 114, or at a right angle to the array of the outlet
14.
The multi stationing of each conductor of the present invention
with the single crimp end 22, simplifies the prior art molding
process for the receptacle 10, by reducing the number of insulated
conductor wires 12 needed. The positioning of the conductors in the
mold is stabilized on the load bars, providing a multi-outlet
receptacle 10, which is faster to mold. There is also a saving of
cost of labor. The prior art mold and load bars can be used without
modification in making the multiple outlet receptacle 10.
The terms and expressions which are employed are used as terms of
description; it is recognized, though, that various modifications
are possible.
It is also understood the following claims are intended to cover
all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein
described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which,
as a matter of language, might fall therebetween.
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